The Parent of Twins has been of Fan of the Family Entertainment Franchise for Years
Urban Air Adventure Park, a leading indoor entertainment business backed by Unleashed Brands, has named Jeff Palla president. In this role, he will focus on positioning Urban Air as an industry leader for family entertainment, as well as driving profitability for franchisees and implementing the brand’s new attractions. Palla brings more than 25 years of franchising experience to the position.
The father of twins said he has enjoyed taking them to Urban Air as guests for years, so he was very interested in the opportunity to join the leadership team. “As I learned more about the mission and values of Unleashed Brands and Urban Air, I was hooked. The opportunity to make an impact on the enrichment of children, and to help them learn, play and grow in their development is a purpose-driven mission for me.” He said he’s excited about bringing Urban Air to new markets, helping existing parks grow their customer bases and work with the leadership team and franchise partners.
“Jeff brings with him vast experience within the hospitality industry managing large-scale systems where franchisees invest significant capital to open their businesses,” said Michael Browning Jr., Unleashed Brands founder and CEO. “Combining this with his knowledge of platform brands, he’s a great fit for our culture and leadership to help scale Urban Air.”
Having worked in several guest service roles with the Walt Disney Company for five years, Palla said he is familiar with family-friendly brands that value customer service and create memorable experiences for guests. Most recently, he served as president of Mr. Handyman, part of the Neighborly platform of home service franchise brands, and as senior vice president of operations for La Quinta hotels, helping to launch and grow the company’s franchise program. Palla said he enjoys helping entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses. “You get to know them, meet them and their families, and help them achieve financial goals for themselves and their families. The ability to see owners grow generational wealth is truly fulfilling.”
The Meaning of Leadership
Palla credited his father, a teacher and football coach for 40 years, with instilling a drive and commitment to succeed. “I grew up on a lifetime of pregame and halftime speeches always believing you can overcome any obstacle and win every game.”
Palla defined leadership as being about relationships and synergy. “In relationships, you grow mutual trust and respect for every individual. You get that mutual trust and respect by listening and learning the stories of people, such as what drives them and motivates them in their lives,” he said. “Once you understand what excites someone in their life and their professional career, you can help them grow and achieve those goals.”
About Urban Air Adventure Park
Founded in 2011, Urban Air Adventure Park has grown to become a leading destination for family fun, with more than 350 locations open or in development. The brand’s mission is to help kids have fun while achieving their activity goals.
About Unleashed Brands
In addition to Urban Air, brands under the Unleashed Brands umbrella include Snapology, The Little Gym, XP League, Class 101, Premier Martial Arts and Sylvan Learning. Unleashed Brands was founded to offer kids fun, engaging, and inspiring experiences that help them reach their full potential.
